The Thrill of It All

Book excerpt: Hello, world. I'm Ola Ray, a small-town girl from St. Louis, Missouri, who reached international fame, as the co-star in what became the biggest music video of all time. Thriller! Whenever I am in public, people seem to find a way to approach me, wanting to know what it was like to be in a music video with the King of Pop. I have remained in the shadows for decades, avoiding television and radio interviews from inquisitive reporters to protect the stroke of destiny that changed my life forever. Flashing cameras, red carpets, velvet ropes, house stalkers, parties full of debauchery, and abusive relations. But only through the grace of God, I am still standing. The sudden meteoric rise I experienced sent me on an unimaginable odyssey. My disappearance from the public eye was never intended, yet the mysteriousness became safe. Michael and I understood the mystery. Except Michael's mystique was deliberate, and mine was a shield of protection from the wolves once I was hurled into the global spotlight. Today, I reflect on my life before and after fame, and it still seems like a fantasy. I have experienced the highs and the lows, the pitfalls, and privileges as a public figure in pop culture. This extraordinary road that I was granted has not always been smooth. Fame comes with a price that can bring unwanted entrapments. International acclaim and notoriety can be blinding. The anticipation of moving to Hollywood and auditioning for movie roles was what I wanted, but never in my wildest dreams would I have known how my fate would shift, and soon I would be on all the magazine covers. The sudden turn became nothing less than a whirlwind of adventures, after my career from Tokyo, Japan began and after the centerfold for Playboy. I hope this book will be a guide for young people who will flock to Hollywood with big aspirations with their eyes open. My eyes have seen much, and my feet have traveled far. Yes, it's been a thriller! And this is my story, The Thrill of It All.